Tasmania shines for drivers
MULTIPLE positives emerged from Saturday night’s 2017 Australian Driving Championship, which attracted a big crowd to Hobart.
The series consisted of two drivers from each state and this year it comprised a blend of youth and experience with West Australian Chris Lewis, 62, taking and 18-year-old Ellen Rixon, from NSW, and her teammate Chris Geary, 19.
The quality of drivers in the eight heats of the championship series encouraged great turnover on all wagering outlets around the nation.
The Tasmanian Pacing Club and TasRacing worked closely to ensure the event was run without a hitch, another positive sign that clubs and the controlling body could work as one in the best interest of the industry.
Having such talented drivers also exposed the equine talent that exists in Tasmania’s standardbred ranks.
The performance of Jaks Teller to win a C2-C3 event with Queenslander Mathew Neilson in the sulky was exceptional.
The Juanita McKenzietrained four-year-old gave his rivals a pacing lesson as he stormed to the front with over a lap to go and when Neilson released the reins turning for home the son of WashingtonVC went on to score by 23m from handy mare Courageous Katee.
Jaks Teller covered the 2090m in 2m.34.31s for a mile rate of 1.58.82 and he ran his last 800m in 56.45, amazing for a restricted class horse.
He was asked to deliver by Neilson in a way he has never been asked before so now the owners are aware of his capabilities.
Victorian Chris Alford emerged the winner of the championship, and it was his handling of the Craig Hayestrained Semowillrev in the last heat that clinched the series.
Semowillrev was resuming from a spell and was aiming to keep his unbeaten record intact at only his third start.
The Sportswriter threeyear-old drew the inside of the second line that is usually considered an awkward draw for free-running horses.
But after travelling 500m Alford had the $1.30 favourite off the rails and in search of the lead.
Once in front 1200m from home the result was never in doubt.
Semowillrev powered home to score comfortably in what ended up being nothing more than a training workout.
While Alford won the series it was clear that teenager Geary is clearly one of the nation’s shining lights in harness racing.
While he was plying his trade on the track on Saturday night he was announced as NSW leading junior driver for last season at that state’s annual awards night in Sydney but given his talent it will not be long before he is taking out the overall title.
DRIVING CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL POINTS TALLY: 86 — Chris Alford (Vic) 72 — Chris Lewis (WA) 67 — Chris Geary (NSW) 62 — Greg Sugars (Vic) 58 — Mat Neilson (Qld) 53 — Ellen Rixon (NSW) 53 — Danielle Hill (SA) 51 — Wayne Hill (SA) 48 — Ryan Warwick (WA) 48 — Gareth Rattray (Tas) 47 — Todd Rattray (Tas) 46 — Shane Graham (Qld)